Frame Restoration Experts
Frame Treatment and Repair Services
We welcome projects from all states within Australia: including New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. Please contact us directly for these services.
We offer a wide variety of frame treatment services to stabilise and restore damaged picture frames.
We repair all manner of picture frames and mirror frames and specialise in ornament repair (including carving, compo, plaster and gesso work), gilding (including traditional water-gilding, oil gilding and mordant gilding), consolidation, stabilisation and cleaning.
With over 20 years of collective experience repairing hundreds of frames, our approach centers on respect for the cultural heritage of frames, original finishes and artistic integrity.
Read more about our frame restoration, gilding repair and mirror repair specialised services below, and view some of our frame repair examples.
Ornament Repair
We repair, replace and reposition frame ornamentation and decoration. We are skilled in carving, plaster casting and traditional composition ornament making in many styles and methods. We create custom moulds to replicate historical examples of ornamentation and have an extensive and unique collection of antique timber, plaster and composion moulds to create replica ornaments and designs.
Gilding
We offer oil-gilding, water-gilding and ‘mixion’ gilding services and specialise in gilding repairs and in-fills. We use a variety of gold leaf carats, white gold, silver and palladium leaf, as well as Dutch metal to achieve high-quality ad appropriate finishes. We also perform bronze-powder and burnished bronze repairs on appropriate frames.
Consolidation
We consolidate and strengthen delicate, damaged and flaking surfaces on picture frames. These include faux timber finishes, tempera finishes, all types of gilding, gesso finishes, gravel and sand finishes. We have knowledge in frame preservation practices and can offer advice and guidance to assist in informed decision making where appropriate.
Stabilisatioin
We secure unstable and damaged frame mitres, repair damaged timber backing and assist in the reduction of timber warping. We build structures to stabilise extensively damaged frames and have experience in using corner blocks and straps for the back of damaged frames. We also build custom frame hanging systems and treat borer and other insect infestations.
Cleaning
We clean frames that have been tarnished by dirt, grime and ash accrued over time or from environmental exposure. We can significantly reduce or remove darkened areas and marks on frames and slips, including those marks on gilt surfaces. We dedicate ourselves to consolidating, gently cleaning and preserving original gilded and bronze powder finishes whenever possible and believe frames should appear as they were intended by the maker and the artist who commissioned the frame.
Consultation
We are passionate about frames. We have extensive knowledge in Australian frame history, frame making, value and restoration and can offer invaluable advice about restoring frames. We source and deal in antique frames upon request, and we can provide research-based insight into your collection of frames.
We offer the following specialist restoration services
Ornament and gilding consolidation
Non-invasive and extensive frame cleaning to remove dust and grime
Corner mitre repair and stabilisation
Carved timber, composition and plaster ornament repair and replacement
Custom mould making for the reproduction of frame ornaments and patterns
Carved timber and composition repairs to restore damaged ornamentation
The removal of over-gilding, spray and paint finishes and the consolidation of the underlying original finishes
Oil and water-gilding finishes and repairs
Bronze-powder and oxidised bronze-powder finishes and repairs
Repair of faux timber and marble finishes, paint finishes and veneer finishes
Professional toning, sealing and ageing techniques to perfectly match areas of repair on your frame
Tailored quotes and advice to enable best restorative decision-making according to frame’s history, maker, purpose and value
“We strive to preserve original ornamentation, gilding and finishes wherever possible”
Our skills in traditional frame making methodology, including traditional water-gilding with gold leaf as shown above, enable us to approach each damaged frame with relevant and suitable options and hand-skills for repair.
Why Restore Picture Frames?
We believe that frames, no matter the monetary value, history or frame-maker, should be cared for and protected to the best extent possible.
Frame Restoration
Our Ethics and Code of Practice
We simply and unequivocally love frames. We have been working with, making and collecting frames for a combined 20+ years and we have collectively worked on and restored hundreds of frames.
We believe that the history of art should incorporate a focus on the history of picture frames, which undoubtedly play a role in the public and private artistic realm of expression and function.
We strive to restore and protect Australia’s collection of frames: whatever the origin, whoever the maker and whatever the value. We pride ourselves on our ability to offer restoration services that are based on best practice approaches, reversible techniques and traditional methodology.
We believe in:
-Approaching frame restoration with practicality and respect and believe in minimal intervention
-Preserving original finishes, and avoid invasive cleaning and over-gilding
-Refinishing frames as a last resort, and choosing appropriate re-finishing options based on historically and stylistically appropriate factors
-Avoiding the practice of over-painting original and intact finishes such as gilding and faux graining
-Avoiding altering, resizing or re-furbishing frames where unnecessary
-Prioritising frame integrity and functionality over decorative trends
Frame Restoration Examples
Nineteenth-Century Ornamental Composition Frame
Below: The before and after conditions of a large ornamental composition frame.
English Ornamental Ribbon Detail Frame
Below: The before, during and after restoration of this small antique water-gilded English frame featuring a ribbon ornament.
Below: The missing ornamentation was sculpted and fabricated in traditional composition material. The repaired ornament was water-gilding the traditional way and toned to match the existing antique patina of the frame.
Restoration of Antique Inchiso Frame
Restoration and 23K Gold-Leaf Water-Gilding of Italian Carved Timber Frame Insert
Restoration of Antique Ornate Gold Gilded Frame
Restoration of Small Vintage Frame
Snapshot of some of the frames that have come through our workshop
Contact Us
Phone or Email us to find our more about our frame repair and treatment services.
For an estimate quote: email us images of your frame (front and back), showing areas of damage. Include the measurements of the frame along with your repair or information requests.
We repair frames for clients in all states in Australia and we are available throughout the year to travel to undertake and assist with substantial frame and cultural heritage repair projects.
Hours
Monday–Thursday
9am–5pm
Open Fridays, after hours and weekends on occasion.
Phone
0402 528 757
Location
Cheltenham, Victoria 3192.
Address upon appointment booking.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live on: the Boonwurrung, Woiworung and Taungurong Peoples of the Kulin and East Kulin Nations.
We pay our respects to the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Elders, past, present and emerging.
The artwork on this website is protected by copyright and may not be used for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without the express written permission of the copyright holder. Any unauthorized use of the artwork, including but not limited to AI training of all forms, is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action for copyright violation. By accessing this website or any of the social media sites of Rich & Davis Artisan Frame Makers, you agree to abide by these terms and conditions and to respect the copyright of the artwork displayed on all Rich & Davis online platforms. The copyright holder reserves the right to modify these terms and conditions at any time without notice.